iPhone as GPS

[andrewbish]

Been using my iPhone 3GS as my nav device, thanks to a handy app called Motion-X. For mine it seems to provide the nav features I need to get around the trails.

Of course, battery life is a bit ordinary with the iPhone. I have got around this by buying portal charge packs from Dino Direct - for $8. They give a full recharge and at 60gm are light enough for me to carry 2-3 without any hassles.

That all said, I am wondering if there are still good reasons to buy a separate device as my GPS and am keen to hear from anybody who's used/look at both.

Bisho

[flatfoot]

I've been using a battery pack built into a case on longer walks. I've also ordered an nPowerPeg to use as a self-charging alternative that will be more effective on longer trips. That was ordered through a shipping agent 3 months ago and I'm still waiting (I.e quality control issue mentioned in article).

I don't think I'll get myself a dedicated GPS. I don't really use the GPS functions of my iPhone when walking. I do like to load 1:25000 topos into my iPhone/iPad for browsing maps electronically (but not for navigation). I use Motion-X regularly for logging track logs of my bike rides.

[andrewbish]

Thanks - keen to see a review on the nPowerPeg when you (finally) get to use it - seriously state of the art device!

[flatfoot]

I saw people on the Overland Track recently carrying traditional paperback novels (some were quite hefty!). I'm thinking that on longer trips I'll load an ebook into my iphone and use the nPowerPeg to keep it fully charged.

My next multi-day walk is in mid-Feb. I am hopeful but not confident that I will receive the gadget by then

[andrewbish]

I have had the same thought - am trying out the Stanza app at the moment.

[bmak]

I've used all versions of the iPhone when out bush with those chargers shown in the first post. I get about 12 hrs with my iPhone 4 with 2 extra batteries. I use gps kit for waypoints and basic mapping and other gps functions, runkeeper for constant tracking in the background and mud map for topo maps. It's convenient to have all this on such a big screen all in one device that I also use for geocaching and photos and notes.
But the phone is a little fragile and you have to keep an eye on battery as it drains quick.
I still prefer to take a real gps as backup though

[woka]

These are very cool for iPhones:

http://www1.magellangps.com/toughcase/

Waterproof, ruggedised, extra battery life...

[Taurë-rana]

nPowerPeg[/url] to use as a self-charging alternative that will be more effective on longer trips.

Hi Flatfoot,
Just wondering how much the nPowerPeg is, and/or who you ordered it through - can't seem to get much info from their own website.
Thanks,
Rachel

[walkinTas]

These are very cool for iPhones:

http://www1.magellangps.com/toughcase/

Waterproof, ruggedised, extra battery life...

I really like the look of that. Have you used one? How did you find it?

[woka]

One of our suppliers had one (for use on fishing boats) which I played with for a couple of hours. I was skeptical when he told me about it, but I came away suitably impressed. He estimated 8-12 hours battery life with GPS running continuously, which is pretty good for the iPhone! Very rugged contruction. The screen is surrounded, but still exposed and could still cop it if you poked it roughly with a big stick (The screen is covered, but the cover is softish to allow touch operation Dropping it isn't a problem (I tried it from about 1.5m - with his phone!).

[walkinTas]

Dropping it isn't a problem (I tried it from about 1.5m - with his phone!).

Always good to be able to experiment with someone else's phone. I'd had possession of my iPhone for exactly 1 hour when I dropped it down a flight of concrete stairs. It didn't survive (shattered screen). I can guarantee that naked iPhones are not designed to bounce.

[andrewbish]

I am sure they could hear your shout of "Nooooooooooooo!" two blocks away